WAYNE, N.J. (4/26/11) – William Paterson University swept a New Jersey Athletic Conference softball doubleheader from Kean University, as the host Pioneers (23-7, 13-3 NJAC) posted 5-3 and 6-1 wins over the Cougars (9-23, 7-9 NJAC) on Tuesday afternoon.
Senior Katie Yard, sophomore Courtney Melchionna and freshman Sandra Binkiewicz each had two hits for the Cougars.
GAME ONE: Late Innings Lift William Paterson Past Cougars, 5-3
William Paterson scored single runs in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings to break a 3-3 tie and defeat the Cougars, 5-3, in the opener.
Second baseman Lindsay Nadolny led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a bunt single, and after stealing second and third bases, she would score the go-ahead run on the RBI infield single by left fielder Raquel Roder. The Pioneers tacked on the insurance run an inning later with the sacrifice fly by shortstop Katelyn Miele.
The Cougars threatened in the top of the seventh inning when senior centerfielder Lindsay Kennedy led off with a single through the left side. After the Pioneers fly-out and pop-up to the next two batters, sophomore second baseman Katie Schuh reached on the fielding error to put the tying run on first base, however the Pioneers recorded the final out to win the opener.
William Paterson took a 3-0 lead after scoring one run in the first and a pair of runs in the second inning, before the Cougars tied the game with three runs in the top of the fifth inning. Melchionna (pictured left) and Yard had back-to-back singles and Kennedy would reach on the fielder's choice sac bunt to load the bases as the Pioneers were unable to record the out. Junior shortstop Alicia Banz followed with the RBI single down the left field line to drive in pinch-runner Sam Gniazdowski. Rookie Megan Cegielski was then hit by a pitch with the bases loaded before Schuh had the RBI groundout to tie the game.
For the Pioneers, Michele Graham (11-3) earned the win, as she scattered five hits with three strikeouts. Nadolny finished 2-of-3 with two runs scored and one RBI.
Melchionna was 2-of-3, while Banz was 1-of-4 with one RBI.
GAME TWO: Pioneers Win Nightcap, 6-1, to Move into First-Place Tie in NJAC
The Pioneers scored single runs in the each of the first three innings en-route to defeating the Cougars, 6-1, in the nightcap.
William Paterson took a 2-0 lead after the second inning after RBI singles by designated player Jessica Warner and Roder. The Cougars cut the lead in half in the bottom of the second inning when Binkiewicz (pictured right) led off with a double and would eventually take advantage of a pair of Pioneer errors to pull Kean to within 2-1.
In the top of the third inning, the Pioneers extended the lead to 3-1 on a bases-loaded RBI walk to pitcher Kelsey Hand, before adding a pair of runs in the sixth and a run in the seventh to pull away for the 6-1 win.
Binkiewicz finished 2-of-3 with one run scored for the Cougars, while Cegielski, catcher Nicole Scarillo and Yard each added one hit.
For the Pioneers, Hand (8-2) picked up the complete game win, allowing five hits and no earned runs. Roder was 2-of-3 with one run scored and one RBI.
The Cougars host Manhattanville College in a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday, April 27, in the Cougars' final home games of the season.
